Dual-Sided Tablet Printer with Inline Face Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers are unable to print on both faces of an object, such as a tablet, while it is being conveyed, and cannot selectively print on desired faces.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes conveying, image pickup, and printing devices for both sides of the tablet, with judging sections to determine whether to print based on image analysis, allowing for printing on both faces or a desired face, and avoiding areas with dividing lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional printer with a single conveying device and single printing device is used, then the device complexity is low, but the printing capability is limited to one face only
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is segmented into two independent printing units: a first printing device for printing on the first face of the tablet, and a second printing device for printing on the second face. Each printing unit has its own image pickup device and printing device, allowing independent operation and selection of which face to print on, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Productivity
If printing is performed on both faces of the tablet, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second conveying devices are merged into a single integrated conveying system that can convey tablets through both printing units. This merging reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform double-sided printing, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying device is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the first and second printing devices. It can convey tablets in different orientations and positions to accommodate both printing operations, allowing the system to achieve high productivity through a single versatile conveying mechanism rather than requiring separate conveying systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If printing is performed without checking the tablet faces, then the printing process is faster, but the printing accuracy decreases due to inability to detect dividing lines
Solution Approach 1:
Image pickup devices are positioned upstream of the printing devices to perform preliminary detection of tablet faces and dividing lines before the printing process. This preliminary action allows the system to identify the correct printing positions and avoid dividing lines, ensuring high printing accuracy without significant time loss as the detection and printing occur in a continuous flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer of the present invention includes a first image pickup device that picks up an image of one side of an object, a first checking section that checks the one side of the object based on the image picked up by the first image pickup device, a first printing device that is disposed at a downstream side of the first image pickup device and that performs printing on the one side of the object while being conveyed, a second image pickup device that picks up an image of the other side of the object while being conveyed, a second checking section that checks the other side of the object based on the image picked up by the second image pickup device, and a second printing device that is disposed at a downstream side of the second image pickup device and that performs printing on the other side of the object while being conveyed.